There are almost 32,000 daffodil cultivars listed in the RHS’s International Daffodil Register. While most of these aren’t commercially available, there are still hundreds of narcissus varieties in the UK that you can plant in your garden. This guide will help you narrow down your options.
When buying daffodils (or, to use their scientific name, narcissi), you may notice that they’re categorised into different divisions. Although it doesn’t really affect how or where you can grow these sunny flowers, knowing the characteristics of each division can help you plan your displays.
Read our guide to growing daffodils for detailed information on planting and caring for daffodils. Ready to get started? Browse our full selection of daffodil bulbs and choose your favourite varieties.
How are daffodils classified?
Narcissi are classified into one of 13 divisions based on their flower form and other characteristics. Daffodil cultivars in Divisions 1–10 have similar unique characteristics, for example, the size of their corona relative to their petals. Divisions 12 and 13 are more varied.
Most popular narcissus varieties available in the UK are from Divisions 1, 2, 4, 7 or 8.
Division 1: Trumpet
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Cultivars in this division have one flower per stem. The trumpet, or cup, is longer than the surrounding petals. Examples of Division 1 narcissi: Narcissus 'King Alfred', Narcissus 'Golden Trumpet' |
Division 2: Large-cupped
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Large-cupped daffodils also have one flower to a stem, but the corona (cup) is smaller than trumpet daffodils – shorter than a petal but more than one-third of a petal’s length. Examples of Division 2 narcissi: Narcissus 'Fortune' |
Division 3: Small-cupped
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These cultivars have a much smaller cup (corona). The length of the cup is less than a third of the length of the surrounding petals. Small-cupped daffodils have one flower per stem. Examples of Division 3 narcissi: Narcissus 'Barrett Browning', Narcissus ‘Segovia’ |
Division 4: Double
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Double daffodils have double the number of petals and/or a double corona (cup). The cup(s) may be segmented, giving a ruffled effect. Some varieties of double daffodils look more like carnations or peonies than a traditional trumpet daffodil. These showy cultivars may have one or more flowers to each stem. Examples of Division 4 narcissi: Narcissus 'Tahiti', Narcissus 'Bridal Crown', Narcissus 'Cheerfulness' |
Division 5: Triandrus
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Cultivars in this division have two or more flowers per stem. The pendant-like flowers have gently reflexed (tilted back) petals. Examples of Division 5 narcissi: Narcissus 'Thalia', Narcissus 'Katie Heath', Narcissus 'Hawera' |
Division 6: Cyclaminaeus
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Cyclaminaeus daffodils have strongly reflexed petals – in some varieties, the petals are swept back along the stem. The flowerheads hang at an acute angle to the stem and have a very short neck. These cultivars have a single flower per stem. Examples of Division 6 narcissi: Narcissus 'Jetfire', Narcissus 'Jack Snipe' |
Division 7: Jonquilla & Apodanthus
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These fragrant narcissi have between one and five blooms per stem. The petals may be spread or gently reflexed. The corona is typically wider than it is long, and it may be flared, cup-shaped or funnel-shaped. Examples of Division 7 narcissi: Narcissus 'Sailboat', Narcissus 'Quail', Narcissus 'Sweetness' |
Division 8: Tazetta
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Daffodils in this division have stout stems topped by clusters of flowers (usually between three and twenty). The small flowers are usually fragrant with broad, spreading petals. Examples of Division 8 narcissi: Narcissus 'Minnow', Narcissus tazetta 'Paperwhite', Narcissus 'Canaliculatus' |
Division 9: Poeticus
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Poeticus daffodils have distinctive flowers with flat, pure white petals surrounding a very short, round corona. The corona is usually yellow (sometimes with a green centre) with a red rim. Also known as the poet’s daffodil, varieties in this division have fragrant flowers with a single flower per stem. Example of Division 9 narcissi: Narcissus 'Actaea' |
Division 10: Bulbocodium
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Cultivars in this division have enlarged trumpets, which dominate the flower, and small, narrow petals. The filament and style are usually curved. Also known as the “hoop petticoat daffodil”, these varieties grow low to the ground and are a good choice for pots. Examples of Division 10 narcissi: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Golden Bells’, Narcissus bulbocodium 'Arctic Bells' |
Division 11: Split-Corona
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These cultivars have a split corona and can be sub-classified as either collar daffodils (11a) or papillon daffodils (11b). The corona segments in collar daffodils are usually in two whorls of three and lie opposite the petals. In papillon daffodils, the corona has a single whorl of six segments, with segments alternating with the petals. They may also be called “butterfly daffodils” or “orchid daffodils”. Examples of Division 11 narcissi: Narcissus 'Vanilla Peach', Narcissus 'Prom Dance', Narcissus 'Mondragon' |
Division 12: Miscellaneous
This division is a catch-all for cultivars that don’t fit anywhere else. These are often multi-division hybrids or unique species. They can vary tremendously in shape and size, though many popular miniature varieties fall into this division.
Examples of Division 12 narcissi: Narcissus ‘Tête à Tête’, Narcissus ‘Toto’
Division 13: Daffodils distinguished by botanical name
Division 13 includes naturally occurring varieties and hybrids. These wild daffodils are often delicate and varied. This division includes native daffodils like the Lent Lily (Narcissus pseudonarcissus Lobularis), the flower that likely inspired Wordsworth’s famous poem, ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’.
Examples of Division 13 narcissi: Narcissus lobularis, Narcissus obvallaris
